MELBOURNE coach Paul Roos has seen it all before: a boom youngster coming back from serious injury facing the burden of expectation before they've even played a game.

Last year it was Jesse Hogan, who overcame a long-term back problem and defied even the most optimistic predictions by booting 44 goals and dominating opponents in the air, hauling in the third-most contested marks (47) in the league.

It was an unforgettable debut season from the hulking forward, deservedly capped off with the NAB AFL Rising Star award.

But now the Demons are bracing for more hype surrounding another future gun, former No.2 draft pick Christian Petracca.

Despite the setback, which will keep Petracca off his legs for a month, Melbourne fans – and football supporters in general – can't wait to see the midfield bull unleashed and Roos is wary of the building expectation.

"Christian had a tough year, because he didn’t play. But one thing we said to him was that it might've been good for him, because there is a lot of pressure on young kids, particularly early draft picks," Roos told the Demons' website recently.

"I think everyone is really excited, but we can't put too much pressure on him."

That might be more difficult than Roos hopes, though.

Unlike Hogan at the same time last season, Petracca is already the bookies' top pick to clinch this year's Rising Star gong – although his price has drifted from $5.50 to $6.50 since breaking his toe.

Collingwood forward Darcy Moore – some way back at $9 - is seen to be his biggest rival. But should Petracca be such a clear favourite?

After all, recent history has shown that the battle for the prestigious Rising Star award has been anything but a one-sided affair.

Hogan needed a record number of votes (49 of a possible 50) to overcome Carlton's club champion Patrick Cripps last season, while in 2014 the Brisbane Lions' pocket rocket Lewy Taylor staved off Western Bulldogs gun Marcus Bontempelli by a single vote.

And at this (very early) stage the 2016 field appears chock-full of contenders.

Moore is still eligible for the Rising Star after bursting on to the scene late last year and kicking nine goals in as many games – including a haul of five straight in just his third match, a round 17 loss to the Western Bulldogs.

Carlton's prized No.1 draft pick Jacob Weitering looms as another major contender, with talent gurus certain the 195cm key defender would've been capable of stepping up to senior football last season.

Tall forward Josh Schache, taken at pick No.2, will be given time to develop by the Brisbane Lions but his potential is sure to excite, while St Kilda's future spearhead Paddy McCartin is set to feel the benefits from another pre-season under his belt.

Could McCartin become the first No.1 pick since Richmond's Brett Deledio in 2005 to clinch the Rising Star? Or will GWS' Jacob Hopper or the Swans' Callum Mills strike a blow for the northern clubs' academies?

Petracca might be the early favourite, but will another less fancied contender emerge from the pack – a la Cripps last year?

These questions and more will be answered throughout the 2016 premiership season, but with the NAB Challenge kicking off next month, AFL.com.au has compiled a list of each club's Rising Star contenders to keep an eye on this year.